Film

Actor Samuel Jackson. Jackson's won critical raves for his portrayal of a crack addict named Gator in the new Spike Lee film, "Jungle Fever." That role's a breakthrough for Jackson after 20 years of bit parts, commercials, and all types of theater. He also put in two years as Bill Cosby's stand-in on The Cosby Show.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new movie "Boyz N the Hood," about gang violence in L.A.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Regarding Henry," staring Harrison Ford as a man who's world changes, not totally for the worse, after he's shot in the head. The film is directed by Mike Nichols and written by J. J. Abrams.

Film maker Marlon Riggs. His documentary about the lives of gay black men in America "Tongues Untied," airs next week on the public television series, "P.O.V." However, many PBS stations will not be showing the film, citing the films strong language and imagery. We'll also talk with three public broadcasting executives involved in the controversy:

Filmmaker Richard Linklater. Linklater's new movie, "Slacker" is a low-budget look at people who's only goal in life is to just hang out.

Film critic Owen Gleiberman ("gly-ber-man") reviews "Who's That Knocking at My Door?", the first feature film by director Martin Scorsese.

Actor Gary Busey. Busey electrified audiences and the critics with his starring role in "The Buddy Holly Story." More recently, Busey was the arch villain in "Lethal Weapon." He co-stars with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves in the new movie, "Point Break."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Terminator 2."

Film critic Stephen Schiff Reviews "The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear," a police movie parody starring Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews, "Dying Young," starring Julia Roberts, which borrows a familiar trope from television movies -- with about as much success

Jordan's best known movie was the 1986 film, "Mona Lisa," starring Bob Hoskins. After several Hollywood films, Jordan has returned to his native Ireland to make his new, smaller scale film, "The Miracle."

Vasquez's new movie, "Hangin' With The Homeboys," is a semi-autobiographical movie about growing up in the South Bronx. He talks to Terry Gross about relations between Latinos and African Americans in his neighborhood; Vasquez is biracial, and is part of both traditions.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," starring Kevin Costner.

Stern played one of the bungling burglars in the movie, "Home Alone." He's also the voice of the narrator in the TV series, "The Wonder Years." He's co-starring now in the new movie, "City Slickers."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Spike Lee's new film, about the politics of interracial dating.

Film critic Stephen Schiff says that Ridley Scott's new movie about two women fugitives is complex and funny -- and feels like a small revolution.

Sayles' films include Return of the Secaucus Seven, Brother From Another Planet, Matewan, and Eight Men Out. He has just written a novel, called Los Gusanos, about Cuban Americans living in Miami. He joins Fresh Air to talk about the difference between moviemaking and creative writing.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new videotape of the first time Wagner's Ring Cycle was broadcast on television, with conductor Pierre Boulez and stage director Patrice Chereau.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Soapdish, a comedy about soap opera actors also starring Sally Field.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews, "Backdraft," the new film about firefighters by director Ron Howard. Schiff says it's full of cliches, but genuinely moving in its portrayal of heroic masculinity.